Damaged bricks

inocenia

I am currently updating my 1920’s house. I have noticed that the side wall bricks look like they are damaged. I need some advice. Can these be repaired or will I need to replace them. 

neilmcl

We would really need to see some pics to advise.

inocenia

FreeBear

Nothing worth worrying about there. I've got quite a few bricks on a similar aged property here that have a lot worse damage. Some have spalled where a cement plinth had been attached, others have the remnants of wall plugs & rusted screws where a lean-to conservatory had been attached. It is cosmetic damage in the main... Fortunately, the lime mortar used is fairly soft, so the bricks can be cut out with a cheap pad saw. Finding matching bricks is going to cause the biggest chunk of grief.

inocenia

Free Bear. So I understand this correctly I do not need to worry too much and I do not need to replace the whole wall, I have read that bricks can be turned around if the other side is not damaged.  Do you think this would be a good idea.  We have renovated the inside of the house and from what I understand there was no damp coming for that wall.  

RelievedSheff

I would just clean of the salt deposits and leave them be. Nothing to worry about there.

FreeBear

inocenia said: I do not need to worry too much and I do not need to replace the whole wall, I have read that bricks can be turned around if the other side is not damaged.  Do you think this would be a good idea.

All bricks will suffer from weathering and minor damage over time. It called "character" in many circles. If you want shiny new, unblemished brickwork, then buy a new build where you have passed every single brick as OK - Even new builds will have some bricks with minor chips & dings...

Replacing bricks in an old wall, whilst possible, will stand out like a sore thumb and perhaps make the wall look worse. New bricks will will never match the old ones - In fact, modern bricks will be a different size to the 1920s ones. Cutting out and turning the bricks gets over the issue of size, but the colour will still be off. On top of that, brickies will examine a brick and lay it with the best side facing out. If you are unlucky, the one brick you remove will have considerable damage on the other face.

One last point to consider - Lime mortar would have been used to construct your house. Ideally, you will want to use lime rather than cement when putting bricks back. Most builders won't have a clue and just slap cement in like they did with the concrete blocks in your second image - That is a bigger eyesore than any minor damage to bricks.

inocenia

Thank you. Some of the bricks are crumbling that is my main concern. Is there anything I can do to prevent further damage.